In a perfect world one would simply find a CFS specialist and visit him. In our imperfect world CFS specialists are rare and often charge fees that are too high for many financially challenged people with CFS.
This does not, of course, mean there is no hope. There are basic steps that many of us can take to improve our health. Treatments are available for even the more financially challenged CFS patients. Many of the treatments that the most forward thinking doctors espouse do not require a prescription. This section, by displaying a variety of treatments used in the CFS 'community', aims to open up the field a bit for those not acquainted with them. It has been created by a layman and obviously does not take the place of the services of a physician.
Treatment approaches advocated by CFS physicians, researchers and others are found below.
Dr. Lucinda Bateman (MD) - One of our most active CFS physicians (IACFS board member/CFSAC member) Dr. Bateman has produced the best one shot overview of CFS treatment I've ever seen. A wonderful communicator Dr. Bateman tells us how she treats sleep, fatigue, pain, gastrointestinal aliments and more in this presentation. Complete with informative slides.
Dr. Bateman has also provided an excellent overview of exercise in CFS and fibromyalgia called CFS and the Exercise Conundrum on the IACFS website. This too little discussed subject has important implications for CFS patients health.
Dr. Cheney (MD, Ph.D).- Dr. Cheney, one of the most well known and experienced CFS physicians, has been innovative in his treatment approaches to CFS. To learn about Dr. Cheney's treatment plans (and other other thoughts) check out The Cheney Files on this website.
Dr. Teitelbaum (MD) - Dr. Teitelbaum has been a prominent figure in CFS treatment for many years. An author of several books on CFS, his site now contains an online program that will, based on the answers given to a detailed questionnaire, provide a treatment program for people with CFS. Potentially it presents an cost-effective means of accessing a prominent CFS physician. Check out the 2004 and 2006 Conference reports for talks by Dr. Teitelbaum.
Dr. Holtorf and the Fibro Fatigue Centers - These centers, which use a holistic protocol developed by Dr. Kent Holtorf specifically to treat CFS and FMS, have been opening up across the country. As of July, 2006 they can be found in Amarillo, Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Ft. Worth, Las Vegas, Norwalk, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, and Seattle with more locations opening soon. Some CFS patients have reportedly had good results. Dr. Teitelbaum has recently joined them. Check out Dr. Holtorf's site for an explanation of his protocol and several interviews with ImmuneSupport. If you go please let us know how it went.
Dr. Vrchota - read about Dr. Vrchota's approach to CFS in a report from the 2004 AACFS Conference.
Dr Pall, Ph.D is a published medical researcher and a former CFS patient who believes oxidative stress caused primarily by a dysregulated nitric oxide/peroxynitrite (NO/ONOO "No Oh No!) system plays a major role in CFS, FMS, MCS and PTSD. In a post to the CFSFMResearch chat group at Yahoogroups.com he outlined a number of therapies that may combat oxidative stress in CFS, one of which he developed in conjunction with a Dr. Ziem, a CFS physician. Increased oxidative stress levels have consistently been found in CFS. Click here to read his post.
Dr. Enlander is a well-known CFS physician based in New York. Check out this informative interview he did with Immune Support on CFS in November, 2006 -
Lipid Replacement Therapy (LRT) - The high levels of oxidative stress in CFS means the fats (lipids) in their cellular membranes are under attack. This can interfere with many cellular functions including energy production. One researcher has, in fact, posited that the fatigue present in CFS is due mitochondrial damage caused by oxidative stress. Read this engaging paper by Rich Von Konynenburg that describes an exciting new product that may help battle the fatigue in CFS.
Glutathione - is the bodies main detoxifier. An independent researcher, Rick Von Konynenburg gives an overview of the many ways now available to increase the bodies levels of this valuable substance. Check out the Research Section for several papers Rich has written.
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Augmenting Glutathione Levels in CFS - Discover the many different ways used to boost the levels of this master antioxidant in the body. Everyone with CFS should give glutathione supplementation a try.
- Lipid Replacement Therapy - In this post Rich discusses the intersection between oxidative stress, the mitochondria and lipids in CFS and an exciting new way of increasing energy production in CFS.
- Treating Glutathione Depletion-Methylation Blockades in CFS - A simplified guide to treating these blockades from Rich.
- Declaring Independence From CFS: the Methylation Block Treatment Is Working! - An update from Rich on results from the Simplified Methylation Treatment
Dr. Stratton - If you have chlamydiae pnuemoniae (or suspect you do) or if you're just completely frustrated at your lack of progress you might want to check out http://www.cpnhelp.org. You also might want to read Diana's story in the CFS story section - Diana resolved a very long time case of CFS using some of the techniques described in this site.
Trevor Marshall, Ph.D has developed an unusual approach to treating CFS that some patients are reportedly having success with. Check out Amy Proal's story of how she found out about his approach and her progress on it.